Shen Chi Yan shoved Song Qi Nian away and stormed into the bathroom, his parting words cutting through the air: "Don't you dare be here when I'm back!"
The door slammed shut with a thunderous bang, leaving Song Qi Nian trembling. Her arms wrapped tightly around herself, a wave of hurt and rejection washing over her. Unwanted. Dismissed.
She couldn't stay in this room, not after how Shen Chi Yan had treated her. Slowly, she reached for the door handle, thinking of finding refuge in a guest room for the night.
"Madam, do you need assistance?"
A servant's unexpected voice startled her. Probably her grandmother's doing. Awkward and uncertain, Song Qi Nian waved the servant away and returned to the bedroom.
No, she couldn't sleep in the guest room. Her grandmother would blame her, and Shen Chi Yan would twist this into another reason to criticize her. He'd paint her as nothing more than a troublemaker.
The bathroom water stopped abruptly. Song Qi Nian's heart raced. Panic seized her. Where could she hide?
The bed? No.
The sofa? Impossible.
Her eyes darted around the room, frantic. Then—salvation. The wardrobe.
When Shen Chi Yan emerged from the bathroom, the room was empty. A smirk crossed his lips.
Gone to complain again, no doubt. A mute who's always eager to tattle.
Dismissive, he collapsed onto the bed, ready to sleep.
Song Qi Nian cautiously pushed open the wardrobe door, peeking out. Shen Chi Yan was asleep. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
After the chaos of yesterday, exhaustion overwhelmed her. She curled up among Shen Chi Yan's clothes, hugging them close, and drifted off to sleep.
Morning came. Shen Chi Yan woke up, his face a thundercloud of irritation. He'd barely slept the night before, waiting—for what, he wasn't sure. Song Qi Nian never came. His grandmother never appeared.
Since when did that woman become so quiet?
Irritably, he yanked open the wardrobe to grab clothes. He had too much to do to let her mess with his day.
But as the door swung open, something—someone—tumbled toward him. Instinct made him catch her. Song Qi Nian's sleeping face was inches from his.
Her eyes flew open. Their gazes locked.
His expression darkened further. Song Qi Nian, remembering last night's harsh words, panicked. Without thinking, she slapped her hand over his eyes.
Oh god. He'd seen her. Would he throw her off the balcony?
Shen Chi Yan's mocking laugh cut through her terror. "Covering my eyes makes it like you weren't here? Nice trick, Song Qi Nian."
She bit her lip and slowly lowered her hand.
In an instant, he dropped her. She fell—thankfully landing on the thick carpet.
"Get out!" he snarled.
She bolted from the room like a startled deer, her slender back rigid with fear.
Shen Chi Yan watched her go, his brow slightly furrowed.
She'd rather hide in a wardrobe than face her grandmother? Fine. Smart move.
Song Qi Nian rushed downstairs, still shaking from her narrow escape. Just as relief washed over her, she spotted Gu Zhiyan.
The woman was stunning. A cotton-linen dress draped elegantly around her, her slightly curled hair pulled back. A soft morning breeze played with her bangs, giving her an almost ethereal quality. She looked like she'd stepped right out of a painting—graceful, untouchable.
Her profile was perfect. Truly perfect. Standing among her roses, she made the flowers look plain by comparison. Song Qi Nian could see where Shen Chi Yan got his looks—mother and son shared an otherworldly beauty.
She couldn't understand why Shen Zhenghao would want a divorce. How could anyone walk away from such beauty?
Song Qi Nian approached, reaching out to sign a greeting.
Gu Zhiyan's cold response stopped her mid-gesture. "Don't bother. I won't understand."
Just like her son—beautiful and absolutely freezing.
Gu Zhiyan had never supported this marriage. After her own failed relationship, she wanted her son to find real love. But in this family, the old lady's word was law. Her opinion didn't matter.
She didn't hate Song Qi Nian, exactly. She just despised her family's calculations.
Nervous but fascinated, Song Qi Nian watched Gu Zhiyan tend to her roses. When Gu Zhiyan finished watering them and went to wash her hands, Song Qi Nian quickly grabbed a towel, offering it eagerly.
Gu Zhiyan ignored her. She picked up a nearby towel and wiped her hands, her gaze cutting. "I have hands. I don't need help."
The towel dropped from Song Qi Nian's fingers.
"Healthy people should take care of themselves," Gu Zhiyan continued, her voice sharp as a knife. "Constantly depending on others? That's no better than parasitism."
She studied Song Qi Nian's confused expression, wondering if it was genuine bewilderment or an act. "I'm rich, yes. Thousands mean nothing to me. But greed destroys people. Remember that."
Gu Zhiyan's words hung in the air like a cold blade. "I never wanted you to marry my son. I have no respect for you or your family. If I could, I'd make sure you never cross my path again."
She walked away, leaving Song Qi Nian frozen. Slowly, the words sank in. Her face drained of color.
Pulling out her phone, Song Qi Nian messaged Liu Xiaohan: "Where are you?"
No response. She hailed a taxi, the fare eating up over two hundred yuan.
The car stopped in front of a run-down apartment building. A world away from the Shen family's mansion in Jinghua City's second ring, from Shen Chi Yan's luxurious villa. This place looked more like a forgotten corner of the city.
Noise erupted from inside—mahjong tiles clacking, rough voices echoing. Song Qi Nian's anger bubbled up. She pounded on the door.
"Who's making such a racket this early?!"
Liu Xiaohan's sharp voice cut through. Song Qi Nian knocked harder.
"Alright, alright!" The door swung open. Liu Xiaohan stared, shocked. "What are you doing back?"
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